Merck drug for HIV effective, tolerated, study results show

Phase-3 study of Isentress shows results similar to previous studies in 209-patient trial

CHICAGO — A drug made by Merck for treating HIV infection was effective and tolerated in patients regardless of their gender or race, according to results of a late-stage clinical trial announced Monday.

Merck announced the release of data from the phase-3 "REALMRK" study showing that Isentress (raltegravir) combined with other drugs produced results similar to those seen in other phase-3 studies. The REALMRK study enrolled 209 patients who had not previously received treatment for HIV, as well as those for whom previous treatments didn't work. Of the patients enrolled, 74.6% were black, while 46.9% were women.

"Results from the REALMRK study demonstrate the benefits of Isentress in combination therapy in a diverse patient population that refelcts the faces of money people living with HIV-1 today," director of the division of infectious disease and environmental medicine at Thomas Jefferson University's medical school and lead study investigator Kathleen Squires said. "Blacks and women are disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic."

Poll

Poll

Which of the current U.S. Presidential hopefuls do you think would be best for your business?

Hillary Clinton

Jeb Bush

Donald Trump

Ted Cruz

Ben Carson

Scott Walker

Marco Rubio

Rand Paul

Chris Christie

Mike Huckabee

SPECIAL REPORTS

Pharmacy’s battle for recognition continues

Fifty years ago this summer, President Lyndon B. Johnson secured his place in history by signing into law the legislation that created Medicare and Medicaid. To commemorate the anniversary, Drug Store News has put together an exclusive report on the effect that Medicare and Medicaid have had on the retail pharmacy industry and how it has transformed the role of the pharmacist. more...

IN THIS ISSUE

In this issue, DSN profiles Rite Aid and how the company is achieving a vision to become a retail healthcare company that delivers a higher level of care to its communities; takes you on a tour of Sears; offers insight into millennial shoppers and more. Click here to view the issue.